Keeping chickens out of vegetable garden... pics of current set up included

[Panhandler80]

Chicken wire is fairly plyable. So I would have a permanent post in each corner of the box. The I would securely fasten it to each post on the short end, then on the opposite far corner, I would put a permanent post, and attach the chicken wire to a dowel. The dowel can be latched to the permanent post, but unlatch and pulled back so that you can work in the garden like a gate.

So if you have a rectangle ABCD. AB and CD are the short ends. Cut two pieces of chicken wire the length of ABC + a bit more. (this is starting to sound like a math problem) Attach securely to AB, and put a dowel or free post at the end that could be attached to C. Do the same thing on the other short end, and put the gate the opposite direction.

This way you can make it taller, still get into your garden, and keep them out. They truly will destroy a whole garden in less time that it takes for me to say to my mother, "Oh my, the chickens are in the garden!" and hang up the phone.

MRs K

Yeah, I gotcha. Not a bad idea. I've seen similar systems many a time in 3 and 4 strand barbed wire fences. Would definitely solve the chicken problem. Downside is, if I went high enough to guarantee no chickens, then I MUST deal with eight separate gates (two long sides of the four planters) every time I want to harvest, prune, remove weeds, etc. That's a lot of messing around with wire... which I'm certain would eventually lead to laziness and not taking care of things.

They went to the garden immediately earlier this week. I may try the 18-20" fence aroudn each one (like pictured above), turn them loose, and monitor what happens. Can always take additional steps if need be. Fingers crossed.

 

[Altairsky]

These chickens have never been big flyers.

My chickens weights up to 4 kg. The first year, a 50cm fence was more then enough to keep them out of the vegetable garden. After 1 year of free ranging, and after losing some weight due to broodiness, they realized they had wings and were fit enough to use them.
Now a 4 feet tall fence won't keep them out anymore.

 

[Panhandler80]

Here's a thought. Like 1' wide panels with maybe six inches between them. Space between plenty big enough to use hand / arm to tend to garden, but small enough to prevent them from hopping in. Could make panels as tall I want. Just an idea...

 

[Mrs. K]

Cattle panels would work for the long sides.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here's a thought. Like 1' wide panels with maybe six inches between them. Space between plenty big enough to use hand / arm to tend to garden, but small enough to prevent them from hopping in. Could make panels as tall I want. Just an idea...

They can easily get through a space 6" wide. I really do not think that will work.

I once had 8 different 4' x 8' beds, ground level. It's amazing how much you can grow in these beds. I totally agree you need to be able to access all along both long sides for a veggie garden for practically anything you grow. 4' is a long way to reach across. I solved my problem by building a fence around that area instead of trying to protect each one individually. It was less expensive for my layout than trying to protect each bed individually and was easier to work.

The downside is the grass and weeds will grow outside the beds and in the fence line. It's hard to mow or weed eat. I solved that by putting down a layer of cardboard topped with wood chips to hold it in place. I figure that was less work than building individual cages and a lot less aggravating. When it was time to renew the cardboard and mulch I'd move what was left to my compost pile.

I don't know if you can get anything useful out of this, especially the way yours are in a line instead of in a square. I don't see any easy solutions.

Another problem you might have is that they are used to going in those beds. Since they know what is in there they may try harder to get back in.

Good luck!

 

[Panhandler80]

They can easily get through a space 6" wide. I really do not think that will work.

I once had 8 different 4' x 8' beds, ground level. It's amazing how much you can grow in these beds. I totally agree you need to be able to access all along both long sides for a veggie garden for practically anything you grow. 4' is a long way to reach across. I solved my problem by building a fence around that area instead of trying to protect each one individually. It was less expensive for my layout than trying to protect each bed individually and was easier to work.

The downside is the grass and weeds will grow outside the beds and in the fence line. It's hard to mow or weed eat. I solved that by putting down a layer of cardboard topped with wood chips to hold it in place. I figure that was less work than building individual cages and a lot less aggravating. When it was time to renew the cardboard and mulch I'd move what was left to my compost pile.

I don't know if you can get anything useful out of this, especially the way yours are in a line instead of in a square. I don't see any easy solutions.

Another problem you might have is that they are used to going in those beds. Since they know what is in there they may try harder to get back in.

Good luck!

Think I have a solution that will:

a) Be relatively easy / cheap to construct

b) Will 100% work

c) Will not reduce access to beds and will be easy to work around

d) Will not impede weed control and/or mowing.

STAND BY....

 

[Panhandler80]

Here's what I'm thinking. Three uprights per long side... As low profile as possible (windage, sun blocking, structure that might look like landing spot to chicken). Then make four bird net panels for each side of a single planter. No rigid members on sides. Bottom member can be any size and is permanently screwed to planter. Top member is as low profile as possible. At the top of each upright is a hook. The length of the mesh (top to bottom) will completely tight when the upper cross member is in the hooks. When it's time to garden, simply reach up slide the top member off the hook. Heck, may not even need to be a hook. Just a ledger that when the netting is under tension, will keep the upper cross member situated.

Something like this with nylon (supper supple / compact / light) netting. I believe this wi

ll do the trick. Easy to build. can have it 6' tall. Easy to take down. Just slide upper cross member off the ledger, and pile the net up at your feet while you garden. Can take off, adn put back up in a matter of seconds.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do not leave them down for any reason, for even a few moment! But I think that will work.

 

[Panhandler80]

Fingers crossed. I think it’ll work.

 

[Panhandler80]

If not, we’re having some chicken stew with this vegetable crop coming up.